SMRT and AIC Adding Dementia Go-To Points to the NSEWL, Circle, and Thomson-East Coast Lines

 Public transport is about connecting people to places safely and efficiently. Singapore’s public transport systems are designed in a way to make journeys accessible and also enjoyable for all commuters including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families travelling with young children. Ramps, lifts, barrier-free features, and the ability to use open strollers, wheelchairs, and other Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) ensure that everyone can use public transport to get around more independently.

Recently, SMRT Corporation collaborated with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to roll out dementia-friendly efforts under the Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) initiative. All train stations on North-South, East-West, Circle, and Thomson-East Coast Lines will have Dementia Go-To Points (GTPs) by end of the year. Currently, SMRT’s 46 train stations and four SMRT-operated bus interchanges are dementia GTPs.

 

What are Dementia Go-To Points (GTPs)?

GTPs serve as resource centres and “safe return” points for commuters and staff members. Anyone can bring persons living with dementia who appear to be lost or unable to remember their way home. 

 

SMRT has trained more than 3,000 SMRT staff members to date to provide help and support to people living with dementia.

 

Now, AIC and SMRT have deepened these efforts further by introducing dementia-friendly “Kindness Seats” in 29 SMRT train stations. These seats are more visible to persons living with dementia and prevent them from falling or knocking against edges. The tagline on the Kindness Seats “Lend a helping hand, Be a Dementia Friend” aims to highlight how commuters can help and be a part of building Singapore to become a caring and dementia-friendly nation.

 

SMRT’s train stations also have WeCare rooms for commuters in distress, yellow strips on edges of staircase for better visibility to prevent falls, yellow strips on lift grab bar for better support, contrasting lift buttons, and non-reflective system maps.

 

SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “We continue to improve our transport services by transporting commuters efficiently and making our network more inclusive for commuters. The Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub and SMRT Go-To initiative are recent examples. Our frontline staff receives training on inclusive service delivery conducted by partners such as the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS).”

 

SMRT CEO, Neo Kian Hong, said: “Service to commuters is at the heart of all we do. We introduced the WeCare Go-To SMRT initiative to help commuters with way finding, first aid, and locating missing children or the elderly. Working with the Agency for Integrated Care, our stations and interchanges serve as resource centres to link those who need help with relevant dementia-related services. We have also made navigating the new Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub more intuitive for the visually impaired.”

 

Conclusion

SMRT is working with key stakeholders including AIC to make the public transport network more friendly and inclusive to commuters with different needs. The latest initiative by SMRT and AIC will create a more caring and inclusive public transport system for everyone.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SMRT’s Sustainability Strategy is Aligned with Singapore Green Plan

  Life in Singapore will get much greener by 2030, with new sustainability initiatives by the government and transport operators to change the way people work, travel, study, and play. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 aims to get the whole nation together as it seeks to transition into a more sustainable future. In order to make Singapore a green city, the government will provide incentives to promote the development and deployment of technologies in solar power, EVs, and specific aspects of green finance.  SMRT Corporation, a leading multi-modal transport operator in Singapore, provides accessible and inclusive train and bus services to cater to the needs of all commuters. Given that the Green Plan is a whole-of-nation effort, SMRT Corp has created sustainable plans to help the government materialise the plan. Here is how the transport operator is aligning its business goals with the Singapore Green Plan 2030:   1. SMRT has set up the SMRT Group Sustainability Bond Framework to suppo
Read more

Efficient and Sustainable: How SMRT Corporation Supports Singapore’s Public Transportation Vision

  As a bustling city-state with a reputation for efficiency and sustainability, Singapore relies on a robust public transportation system to keep its residents and visitors moving seamlessly. At the forefront of this endeavour is SMRT Corporation, helmed by SMRT Chairman , Seah Moon Ming, and SMRT CEO, Ngien Hoon Ping. In this blog, we will explore how SMRT Corporation plays a pivotal role in supporting Singapore's public transportation network, ensuring efficient and sustainable mobility for all. SMRT Corporation: Driving Singapore's Public Transportation SMRT Corporation is a prominent player in Singapore's public transportation landscape. SMRT Chairman mentioned that as a leading mobility solutions and services provider with close to 40 years of industry experience in operating and maintaining a wide and diverse fleet, SMRT connects customers, drivers, and vehicles to deliver technology-enabled solutions that are safe, reliable, inclusive, and sustainable. SMRT CEO
Read more

A Spotlight on SMRT’s Role in Ensuring Safety and Security on Singapore’s MRT System

  Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system has long been recognised as one of the world’s most efficient and reliable transportation networks. SMRT Corporation, the leading operator of the MRT system, has been a significant contributor to its success. In addition to providing seamless transportation, SMRT prioritises safety and security, implementing a range of measures to safeguard passengers and maintain a secure environment. Let’s explore the crucial role played by SMRT in ensuring the safety and security of Singapore's MRT system. Advanced Technology Systems: To monitor and maintain security within the MRT system, SMRT employs state-of-the-art surveillance technologies. The surveillance systems enable real-time monitoring and recording, aiding in the detection of suspicious activities, preventing crime, and enhancing response capabilities during emergencies. Like SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming mentioned that railways are complex, involving many sub-systems operating
Read more